What Is Involved In Studying A Level Maths?

Core Modules - C1, C2, C3 and C4 which are the only compulsory units

These include the necessary methods and techniques that are then used within the Applied Maths modules. Think of them as the foundations for the rest of your Mathematical studies.

They include topics such as : Algebra and Graphs, Calculus, Trigonometry and Vectors.

Applied Modules - Mechanics, Statistics and Decision

Mechanics

These modules explore the way that things move and react. Two topics we look at are Kinematics (the movement of particles) and Newton's Laws of Motion. You will also learn the skill of modelling a real life situation so that you can solve the problem and then relate the solution back.

For example : How far up a slope will a skateboarder travel after having skated down a bank ?

If you are planning to study Physics or Engineering, then these modules will be ideal for you. Some university courses expect these modules to be studied.

Statistics

These modules will give you the skills to analyse and represent data in all it's forms. These skills are widely used - and mis-used - in the media and wouldn't it be advantageous if you could see when you might be being misled ?

If you are planning to study Biology or Psychology, then you will find the techniques very useful.

Decision

Decision Mathematics uses the techniques of discrete mathematics to solve real life problems in many areas. Here are some examples of areas in which Decision Mathematics can be used:

What is the best route for a gritting lorry to follow so that it covers every road in on its route in the minimum distance?

What is the minimum quantity of cable needed to link a network of computers together?

What is the best order to decorate a house?

You will study various algorithms to solve problems like those above but more importantly also the need to follow these algorithms rigorously to ensure a correct outcome.

If you are planning to study any IT or Business based course then these modules will be useful and are an excellent basis to then go on to study Computing, Business or Logistics.

Further Pure Maths

These are for those students who may be thinking of going to university to study a Science / Technology / Engineering or Mathematical based degree. They build on the content of the Core modules but again have the techniques needed to solve some very interesting ideas - for example - how do computers take the movements from your mouse / joystick and manipulate the view you have on your screen ? This is all reliant on 3-Dimensional Matrices and transformations.

You will find that some university are now demanding that Further Maths is being studied to gain entry onto some courses, or that preferential offers are given to those studying Further Maths.

Why study Maths at all though?

Maths skills learned at A level, such as logical thinking, problem solving and statistical analysis, may be closer to those actually used in the workplace than skills learned in other subjects.

If you want to go on to study at University then A level mathematics will open more doors than any other subject. For example:

Business Studies For entry to a Business Studies degree, institutions will generally look for Mathematics as their first choice

Computing Mathematics is generally considered more important than Computing A level

Physics Most course/career options require Physics to be combined with Mathematics

Psychology Mathematics A-level is often favoured

A level mathematics is probably the most marketable A-level in terms of acceptability. It is difficult to think of any course/career where it would not be welcomed in combination with other subjects.

Mathematics A-level would be applicable for the following:

Courses/careers in Mathematics, Engineering and most areas of Physics (Further Mathematics is often helpful and often required, for some of these courses).

Computing, Accountancy, Economics, Business, Banking, Air Traffic Control, Retail Management, Architecture, Surveying, Cartography, Psychology and, of course, Teaching to name but a few.

Mathematics A-level is well regarded by both institutions and employers.

Here are some examples of where Advanced mathematics is widely used, but often in an unseen and unadvertised way

The mathematics of error-correcting codes is applied to CD players and to computers.

The stunning pictures of far away planets sent by Voyager II could not have had their crispness and quality without such mathematics.

Voyager`s journey to the planets could not have been calculated without the mathematics of differential equations.

Whenever it is said that advances are made with supercomputers, there has to be a mathematical theory which instructs the computer what is to be done, so allowing it to apply its capacity for speed and accuracy.

The development of computers was initiated in this country by mathematicians and logicians, who continue to make important contributions to the theory of computer science.

The next generation of software requires the latest methods from what is called category theory, a theory of mathematical structures which has given new perspectives on the foundations of mathematics and on logic.

The physical sciences (chemistry, physics, oceanography, astronomy) require mathematics for the development of their theories.

In ecology, mathematics is used when studying the laws of population change. Statistics provides the theory and methodology for the analysis of wide varieties of data.

Statistics is also essential in medicine, for analysing data on the causes of illness and on the utility of new drugs. . Travel by aeroplane would not be possible without the mathematics of airflow and of control systems.

Body scanners are the expression of subtle mathematics, discovered in the 19th century, which makes it possible to construct an image of the inside of an object from information on a number of single X-ray views of it. Thus mathematics is often involved in matters of life and death.